Marsha Miles Graves

Born 1950 in Bluefield, WV, Marsha moved to Brandon, FL with her parents Ward and Elizabeth (Bostian) Miles, and brother James. She attended school at Walter S. Yates Elementary, Mann Middle, and graduated from Brandon High in 1968. She received her Bachelor of Science in Physical Education from the University of Tampa in 1971.

Marsha was an accomplished dancer throughout her young life, studying at Cushen’s Dance Studio in Brandon. She was the BHS head dancerette under Pat Fussell, and later led the University of Tampa majorettes. Her love for dance carried on as she began her teaching and coaching career with Hillsborough County Public Schools.

In 1971, Marsha began teaching Physical Education at her alma mater, Brandon High School, where she proudly coached the BHS cheerleading squad. Marsha remained at Brandon until1980, then moved to middle school PE, teaching at Eisenhower, Rodgers, then Burns where she retired after 34 years.

Marsha loved being the life of the party, and loved animals. She adopted many shelter cats throughout her life, most with medical conditions. She was a veterinarian’s dream client. Marsha was an amazing mother to her only daughter Kimberly, passing on her loves of dance, animals, and education.

Marsha is survived by her daughter, Kimberly Moresco Canna; brother, James William Miles; aunt, Dorothy Bostian Combs; cousins, Kay Lawrence Cornwell, Susan Lawrence Lewis and Jay Lawrence; nephews, James Miles, Jr., Tony Lee Miles, Kevin Dean Miles, Ron Russell Lewis,Jr. and Steve Thomas Hitchcock Jr; nieces Laura Lynn Pearce, Trudy Lewis Hutchinson, Kathryn Hitchcock Young, and Melinda Hitchcock Malone. She was preceded in death by one brother, Fred Wilton Miles.

Memorial gifts can be made in Marsha’s name to The Humane Society of Tampa Bay - No Kill Shelter - 3607 N. Armenia Ave, Tampa, FL 33607.

A Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, June 22, 2019 at 11:00 AM at Stowers Funeral Home - 401 W. Brandon Blvd. 33511.